The actor, 29, costars in 50/50 (in theaters Sept. 30), written by his pal Will Reiser and based on Reiser’s bout with cancer.

For a movie about serious illness, there are many laugh-out-loud moments. We really tried to be as honest as we could about it. Life is funny and sad, and even while Will was going through [treatment], we still made jokes and had ridiculous conversations.

You were on the toilet when he told you he was sick. Why didn’t that make it into the film? I learned doing Superbad that just because it happened doesn’t mean it would be good in a movie. As funny as that is in real life, it just seemed too disgusting.

Your characters can be jerks, but they have a sensitive side. Are you a softie off-screen? I cry during ASPCA commercials. Other than that, I’m pretty coldhearted.

A: Though the Cowell-less Idol received 10 Emmy nominations this year, Simon says yes! “You don’t enter something for the silver medal; you do it because you want to be No. 1,” Cowell, 51, one of The X Factor’s judges and executive producers, has said. “We’re going to shove everything at this to try and make it the best show on TV.” The new singing competition premieres Sept. 21 on Fox at 8 p.m. ET.

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The 44-year-old CNN anchor’s new syndicated daytime talk show, Anderson, premieres Sept. 12 (check your local listings). What do you remember about Sept. 11? “What was remarkable about being in New York at the time was the sense of the city pulling together. All of a sudden people had a common purpose and a sense of belonging.” Ten years later, how can we best honor the people who died that day? “With every new generation, we must remind people not only of those who were lost, but of the vulnerability we experienced and the threat that is out there.” Tomorrow your show Anderson launches. What appeals to you about daytime TV? “I like the intimacy of it and the connection you can build with an audience. I’ve always tried to give everyday people a voice. I want this show to be a place where they can tell their stories.”

The 43-year-old crooner stars in the family film Dolphin Tale, in theaters Sept. 23.

What was it like costarring with a dolphin? “It was effortless. They have a different kind of intelligence, and with their echolocation, they can basically see through things, which is pretty neat.”

As a New Orleans native, how do you feel the city is doing six years after Katrina? “It’s starting to think about progress. Katrina shed a lot of light on its problems, but New Orleans is such a charismatic, diverse place that it’s no surprise the city’s experiencing a resurgence.”

You and your wife, Jill Goodacre, have been together for over two decades. What’s your secret? “It helps to marry your best friend, and I was fortunate to do that.”

Q: After all these years, where does Jackie Collins get inspiration for her stories?—H. Burns, Philadelphia

15 Surprising Celebrity Novelists A: “I live in Hollywood, so inspiration is everywhere!” says the British-born Collins, 73, who has written 28 novels. “Los Angeles is full of crazy characters.” Despite the abundance of story lines right outside her door, Collins set her latest book, Goddess of Vengeance (out Sept. 13), in Las Vegas. “I like creating rags-to-riches stories,” the author adds. “It’s the great American dream.”